Strength training, also known as resistance training or weight training, is a critical part of any fitness routine. At its most basic, resistance training is a series of movements that require a muscle to lift, push, or pull until fatigued. These movements not only benefit gains in the gym and training for competitive sport, but they also provide indisputable benefits to overall mental and physical health.
Muscle-strengthening exercises are beneficial because they lead to better physical functioning. Such exercises also improve glucose metabolism, enhance maintenance of healthy body weight, and help improve cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure. All these factors lead to lower risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, which lowers mortality risk.